Everyone loves a good mystery. It's almost impossible to resist the chance to work out a puzzle with the characters, trying to find the missing pieces before they do.
In 2018, the film world got quite a host of mystery films for armchair detectives and cinephiles alike to work out. If it proves anything, this list of films shows that a "mystery film" can be almost anything. Without further ado, here are the best mystery films that came out in 2018, as rated by IMDb users.
Apostle (6.3)
After making two of the most revered action films of all time, with The Raid: Redemption and The Raid 2, Gareth Evans shifted his talents towards making this gothic folk-horror mystery, starring Dan Stevens and Michael Sheen.
The film's central mystery revolves around a man attempting to rescue his sister from a strange island cult. Though audiences were somewhat mixed on the film, the critics mostly agreed that it is a mysterious and dark plunge worth taking. Combining scenes of graphic violence, unnerving folklore, and a juicy slow-burn mystery, Apostle is a great late-night Netflix yarn.
The Commuter (6.3)
The year saw another late-era Liam Neeson caper come out and do respectable business at the box office and with audiences. The film stands out from the other Neeson matinee vehicles of the past decade by honing in on a genuinely intriguing mystery and a breakneck pace.
After Neeson's character boards a commuter train, things go from bad to worse in the best way possible. A throttling and fun ride with the ever-charismatic Neeson, as he gets deeper and deeper into a plot to take him down, The Commuter is a great choice for rainy days or date nights.
The Clovehitch Killer (6.5)
A criminally underrated mystery-thriller from 2018, The Clovehitch Killer spins a whole new kind of coming-of-age tale. After finding some strange photographs, a young boy begins to suspect that his straight-laced father might be a serial killer. The film's script is extremely well-paced and does a good job of keeping the audience in suspense about the titular murderer's true identity.
The film was released to above-average critical assessments but failed to kick up any serious buzz. That being said, The Clovehitch Killer has the feel of a film destined to be rediscovered years down the road.
Under The Silver Lake (6.5)
Under the Silver Lake was originally going to be the next A24 sleeper hit before it was pulled from theatrical release schedules. A few months later, the film was dumped on to Amazon Prime to become the next late-night stoner classic.
Ostensibly a gumshoe movie with a surrealist bent, the film is anchored by a truly grand Andrew Garfield performance as a slacker trying to solve the mystery of his neighbor's disappearance. A divisive and long film, Silver Lake isn't for everyone, but for those who buy into the film's particular style, it's worth the ride.
A Simple Favor (6.8)
Known for his hit comedy films with Melissa McCarthy, Paul Feig showed off his darker side with this mystery film starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.
A modest hit at the box office, A Simple Favor revolves around Kendrick's character attempting to piece together what happened to her wealthy friend, played by Lively. The screenplay is whip-smart and contains a handful of genuinely surprising twists. Feig directs the film with his usual confidence and his comedic chops still come through in the dark comedy elements of the gleefully campy story.
Game Night (6.9)
One of 2018's most fun comedic rides, Game Night expounded upon its brilliant concept with a script full of laughs and great comedic performances from Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. When a couples-only game night detours into real-life danger, the couples must play detective to unravel what's going on.
The film has echoes of the murder mystery parodies of yesteryear, like Clue and Murder by Death, but maintains a fresh and modern course all the way to its hilarious conclusion. A hit with critics and at the box office, Game Night is one of the more entertaining films of 2018.
Bad Times At The El Royale (7.1)
Drew Goddard's long-awaited follow-up to The Cabin in the Woods, Bad Times at the El Royale brought together a large ensemble of actors for a fun grindhouse mystery. Over the course of a dark night, a group of strangers comes together at the El Royale hotel.
The movie has flavors of Identity if written by Tarantino, but Goddard's flair for genre-bending shows up in crucial moments. A largely unpredictable romp, with a phenomenal Jeff Bridges performance, Bad Times at the El Royale is an excellent choice. Here's hoping Mr. Goddard doesn't take as long to make his next one.
Hereditary (7.3)
Ah yes, Hereditary. One of the great indie horror successes of the past decade, Ari Aster's nightmare vision is shrouded in layers of enigma that require more than just one viewing to truly unpack.
A family drama, a gothic mystery, a ghost story, a cult thriller, and so much more, audiences and critics gave the film a warm reception that eventually morphed into a word-of-mouth chain that elevated the film to new heights. A daring and original walk through the dark side, Hereditary has a lot to offer. Chances are, you know all this already.
Burning (7.5)
A brilliant film from South Korea, Burning is a film that benefits all who haven't seen it by knowing as little as possible about its narrative treasures.
A true-blue mystery film, Burning asks the audience to have trust in it to satisfy in its conclusion. When a young man begins a romance with a former classmate that he does not remember, things begin to turn strange around him. Very, very strange. To say anything else would be to spoil the experience of watching the film.
Searching (7.6)
Searching could have just as easily been a trainwreck. While definitely not the first film to use the all-on-a-computer-screen schtick, it certainly perfected it.
John Cho plays a widower and father who must go through his daughter's life to find out why she disappeared. Whereas other films with the same format used it as a gimmick, Searching organically utilizes it to aid in its storytelling. A massively satisfying mystery that has its fair share of twists and tricks up its sleeve, Searching is one of the most creative mystery films in some time.